Hello. Please take time to assess my situation and answer my questions because I would really appreciate it. I am currently in 11th grade. I completed 9th and 10th grade in another high school and another state, but had to move due to my parents. I have an interest in Math and Business and am trying to adjust my course load to best fit my interests, but can someone give me an example of what I can do to stand out? I understand that some people do individual science research and do science fair projects and this can stand out based on their career interests, but I have never been interested in these activities. I also believe that this will not help me in my college application because I do not want to go into the science field. Thus, I am unsure of what to do. Should I get a job at like a fast food place, and would this help me? Also, regarding leadership and extracurricular, how can I display leadership if I am a new member of a club? I do not think I can get a leadership position by 12th grade (next year) since there are people that have been attending the club since 9th grade and are ahead of me for such positions. Will my relocation in the midst of high school have a negative effect on my college application? Would getting good grades (like A’s) in 11th grade, after I moved, quite possibly be something that could give me an advantage? By the way, I am an overall “A” grade student and am taking 3 AP’s right now and took 2 last year and am planning on take like 3 or 4 next year. I also want to attend top undergraduate business schools, with none specifically in mind. I would really appreciate if someone could answer my questions. Thank you for your time.
You may be further along than you think. Despite your various moves, you’re still an excellent student.
As far as standing out, you could do any number of things–
- Start a small business (develop a business plan, marketing plan, product, etc.) and grow it this year, over the summer, and next;
- Work in a business of some sort, fast food is fine, if that is your eventual business interest that's even better. You might intern for a bank, for another local business, or see if there's a cooperative program at your high shool. (If there's a vocational track there may be a cooperative office). Ask your parents if they can ask their friends. That's called networking. Also ask your friends if you can approach their parents;
- Volunteer for a local business affiliation group, like Rotary Club of your local Better Business Bureau
- Understand that business crosses into virtually every arena and work or volunteer for a non-profit or government agency. They all use business techniques and skills and seeing inside these other sectors is very important. Volunteer for the business and marketing sectionof your local public radio station, or a museum, or a university, or an advocacy organization, like a group that advocates for handicapped people, or reproductive rights, or homeless, etc.
- Work for your local public park or a national park, such as through the Student Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, or Natural Resources Foundation.
- Work for an art gallery or cinema, maybe the business end of things.
Virtually anything you do this summer will teach you invaluable skills. Every organization and every art has a business side to it.